Chuck Lauder isn’t just another name at Centralia High School (CHS)—he’s part of the fabric that holds the school’s sports programs and health education together. Born and raised in Centralia, Chuck’s story is one of coming home, giving back, and building connections that extend far beyond the classroom or the sports field.

FROM ATHLETE TO TRAINER
Chuck’s journey at CHS began long before he became a teacher. As a proud graduate of the old high school, Chuck was part of the last class to walk those historic halls in 2006. After leaving Centralia for college at Murray State, he earned a degree in athletic training, setting the stage for a career focused on helping athletes stay strong and healthy.

“I went to school to take care of sports injuries, rehab athletes, and get them back on the field,” Chuck explains. “Athletic trainers are kind of a jack-of-alltrades. We handle injuries, talk to athletes about their diet, and guide them when they need help.” For Chuck, athletic training wasn’t just about treating injuries; it was about supporting student-athletes in every way possible.

Chuck’s expertise didn’t go unnoticed. When the athletic trainer position opened up at CHS, former trainer Todd Hoyt reached out, knowing Chuck’s roots in the area would be an asset. “They wanted someone who knew the community, someone who would stay,” Chuck recalls. And stay he did—working for 13 years as CHS’s go-to athletic trainer, building relationships that students still rely on today. “Even now, athletes come to me to get their ankles taped, or they ask for advice because we’ve built that trust.” THE

TRANSITION TO TEACHING
While Chuck loved working as an athletic trainer, his growing family led him to reevaluate his career. With two daughters—now ages 10 and 7—and a 5-month-old son, Chuck found himself missing out on his own kids’ activities because of the demands of being an athletic trainer. “I was missing my kids’ games to go to the school’s games,” Chuck says. That’s when he decided to make a change, enrolling in a teacher certification program through the University of Florida to transition into education. Chuck has now been teaching health and wellness classes at CHS for three years, and the change has allowed him to spend more time with his family while still making a meaningful impact on the students of Centralia. “I teach juniors and seniors, and these classes are electives, so the kids want to be here,” Chuck says. “That makes a big difference.”

Though the transition to teaching came with some adjustments— like moving from the dynamic unpredictability of sports injuries to the structured environment of a classroom—Chuck has found ways to make the content engaging. “I don’t like to just lecture. I want the kids to talk, discuss, and connect with the material,” Chuck explains. “Health is something everyone has a personal connection to, so we have a lot of great conversations.”

A LASTING IMPACT
Chuck’s move to the classroom hasn’t diminished the influence he built as an athletic trainer. Students still seek him out, not just for advice on injuries, but for guidance on their futures. “A lot of the kids I teach are interested in health professions like nursing, physical therapy, or EMT work,” Chuck says. His first-aid and CPR classes, which offer students real certifications, give them a leg up when applying for jobs at local nursing homes or hospitals.

For Chuck, it’s these relationships that matter most. Whether it’s in the classroom or on the field, the bonds he’s built with students last far beyond graduation. “There’s nothing like seeing a former student out in the community and hearing how they’re doing,” Chuck says. “Whether they’re starting a family, launching a business, or just finding their way, it’s special to know you played a small part in their journey.”

LOOKING AHEAD
As Chuck looks to the future, his hopes for the students of CHS are simple but profound. “I always tell them, get out of Centralia for a bit— broaden your horizons. You can always come back, but it’s important to see what else is out there,” he says. Chuck knows the value of community, but he also encourages his students to explore, find themselves, and return home with new perspectives.

For Centralia High School, Chuck Lauder is more than a teacher or a trainer—he’s a mentor, a community leader, and a constant reminder of the power of giving back to the place that shaped you. And for the students of CHS, Chuck is proof that sometimes, the greatest legacies are built not under bright lights, but in the quiet, daily acts of care and connection.